Georgia football’s quest for its third national championship in the past four years begins Saturday, with the No. 1 Bulldogs facing off against No. 14 Clemson at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
While the result of the game will come with its own conclusions for the Tigers and coach Dabo Swinney, who have taken a step or two back since making the College Football Playoff six consecutive seasons from 2015-20, the matchup will offer a first glimpse at just how good Georgia is and whether its preseason No. 1 ranking is justified.
As the Bulldogs take the field, however, they’ll be doing so without what’s expected to be one of their best players.
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Running back Trevor Etienne was among the highest-profile offseason additions for coach Kirby Smart and Georgia. Over the past two seasons at rival Florida, Etienne, the younger brother of Jacksonville Jaguars running back and former Clemson all-American Travis Etienne, rushed for 1,472 yards and 14 touchdowns.
For as much excitement as his transfer to Georgia generated, Etienne won’t be playing in his first game in a Bulldogs uniform.
Here’s what you need to know about Etienne and why he isn’t playing Saturday against Clemson:
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Is Trevor Etienne playing today?
In the hours leading up to Saturday’s Georgia-Clemson game, 247Sports reported that Etienne would not be playing for the Bulldogs in their 2024 season opener.
The absence came after days of speculation over whether Etienne would take the field for Georgia. During a press conference earlier in the week, Smart nearly said that Etienne would be suspended before stopping himself.
Etienne is in Atlanta and even took part in pregame warmups, but has not yet seen the field for game action.
Trevor Etienne arrest
Questions over Etienne’s playing status came after a tumultuous offseason for the junior running back.
Early in the morning March 24, three months after announcing his transfer from Florida to Georgia, police said Etienne drove his 2024 RS7 Audi sedan at least 80 to 90 miles per hour in a 50 mile-per-hour zone on South Milledge Avenue in Athens, Georgia while driving home after drinking earlier in the night. Etienne allegedly also crossed over double yellow lines on the road and passed a vehicle.
He refused field sobriety and blood alcohol tests, though he admitted to drinking that night.
The then-19-year-old Etienne was arrested and charged with DUI alcohol less safe — a statute that allows drivers to be convicted even in instances in which their blood alcohol content is less than .08 — DUI under 21, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane/improper driving on road and affixing materials that reduce visibility of windows/windshield.
His arrest was yet another driving-related incident for the Georgia football program. In 2023 alone, the Bulldogs had at least 14 arrests or citations for speeding or reckless driving after a January 2023 crash that killed Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandley LeCroy, an accident in which police said alcohol and excessive speeding played contributing factors.
In July, Etienne reached a plea deal. The DUI less safe and DUI under 21 charges were dismissed while he pled no contest to reckless driving and pled guilty to underage possession of alcohol, failure to maintain lane and a window tint violation.
As part of the deal, Etienne received 12 months of probation, an $852 fine and a $45 per month supervision fee. Additionally, he has to complete a substance abuse evaluation, 40 hours of community service and an alcohol risk reduction program, as well as being subject to random drug and alcohol screenings.
“We’re pleased the evidence didn’t support the DUI charge to begin with,” attorney Kim Stephens, who represented Etienne, said to the Athens Banner-Herald after the plea deal was reached. “We’re pleased the Solicitor’s Office saw that and agreed to something that wasn’t a DUI.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why isn’t Trevor Etienne playing vs Clemson? Georgia RB out after offseason arrest
